Kiaran Macdonald is back at work and looking forward to the brightest of futures.
The Sunderland boxer has had the best year of his career following silver medals at two major tournaments.
He is very much a boxer on the up and could easily command a professional move though given the 2024 Olympic Games is only 652 days away, the lure of a summer in Paris might prove too strong.
It should, but it’s easy for punch-lines to say that, we are not the ones inside the ropes taking the punches. However, given the uncertainty surrounding the sport in the IOC movement, he could be boxing’s last Olympic flyweight gold medallist.
Macdonald is back in the GB Boxing gym at the English Institute of Sport where he can set his sights on a huge 2023.
The World Championships is listed for May in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with the European Games, also doubling as an Olympic qualifier, set for June in Krakow, Poland.
“I’ve enjoyed my break but it’s good to be back,” said the southpaw. “When I came back China were in Sheffield for sparring, which was good.
“It’s always nice to have something different.
“For me, it’s going to be a quiet Christmas as I’ll be looking to hit the ground running for January for what is another big year, with two major tournaments
“In nine to 10 months I could have something I’ve been working towards all my boxing life, a place at the Olympic Games.
“It’s my dream to get on the Olympic podium and then from there, the pro route.”
You’d have to say 2022 has been a stellar year for Macdonald, who was runner up at the European Championships before adding a second silver at the Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve had 15 fights this year at the highest level and competed in two major championships,” he told punch-lines.
“You learn so much about yourself when you compete at this level.
“I’d like to think I’ve established myself now as the solid number one at flyweight with GB and it’s now my position to lose.”
While the Sunderland ABC star was frustrated not to strike gold at the Euros in Yerevan, where he lost to slippery Spaniard Martin Molina, there could be no regrets about his number two finish at the Commonwealths, where he was outpointed by world number two Amit Panghal of India.
The 25-year-old gave it his all, especially after suffering an horrific cut, producing a top drawer performance at the NEC, only to have to give second best to a very gifted opponent.
“I loved boxing at the Commonwealths,” he said. “The first ‘We Will Rock You’ which was played and the crowd reaction made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
“The atmosphere and the support was amazing, with that army of fans behind you, you felt you couldn’t lose.
“I came up against an exceptional fighter in the final, a man who’d been round the block and winning medals before I was even a senior.
“He was number one seed in Tokyo when Galal Yafai won gold, that’s how good Amit is.
“It shows the level I’m competing at and the fine margins that are involved.
“Overall, it was a great tournament for me and now I’m looking forward to next year.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: England Boxing
